Summary
Of Human Bondage, published in 1915, is W. Somerset Maugham's masterpiece and widely considered one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. This semi-autobiographical work follows the life of Philip Carey, an orphan with a clubfoot, as he struggles with unrequited love, artistic ambition, and the search for meaning in life. The novel's exploration of human emotions and the pursuit of happiness has resonated with readers for over a century. In 1934, it was famously adapted into a film starring Bette Davis, which helped launch her career as a leading Hollywood actress.
Plot
Of Human Bondage follows the life of Philip Carey, an orphaned boy born with a clubfoot. After a difficult childhood with his aunt and uncle, Philip travels to Germany and then Paris to study art. Realizing he lacks talent as an artist, he returns to England to study medicine. During this time, he meets Mildred, a waitress with whom he becomes obsessively infatuated despite her cruel treatment of him.
Philip's relationship with Mildred is tumultuous. She leaves him for another man, returns pregnant and alone, then leaves again with Philip's friend. Throughout these experiences, Philip struggles financially and emotionally. He briefly takes in Mildred and her child when she returns destitute, but she destroys his belongings when he rejects her advances. Philip later encounters Mildred one last time, discovering she has become a prostitute and contracted syphilis.
As the novel progresses, Philip befriends the Athelny family, who help him when he faces financial ruin. He completes his medical studies after inheriting money from his uncle and considers a partnership with a country doctor. However, Philip's plans change when he develops feelings for Sally Athelny. After a pregnancy scare, Philip proposes to Sally, choosing a simple life of marriage and medical practice over his earlier dreams of adventure. The novel concludes with Philip finding contentment in this decision.
Themes
• Coming of age and self-discovery
• Unrequited love and obsession
• Art and creativity as a means of expression
• The struggle between passion and reason
• Social class and societal expectations
• Physical and emotional disabilities
• The search for meaning and purpose in life
Setting
Set primarily in late 19th and early 20th century England, Of Human Bondage spans several decades of Philip Carey's life. The story begins in the Victorian era and extends into the Edwardian period, reflecting the social and cultural changes of the time. This backdrop provides a rich canvas for exploring themes of class, morality, and personal growth.
The novel's geographical scope extends beyond England, taking readers on a journey through Europe. Philip's adventures lead him to Heidelberg, Germany, where he experiences a taste of freedom and intellectual exploration. Later, he travels to Paris, immersing himself in the city's vibrant art scene and bohemian culture. These continental episodes offer a stark contrast to the more conservative English settings.
Within England, the narrative shifts between various locales. The story begins in Blackstable, a fictional town in Kent, where Philip spends his childhood at his uncle's vicarage. Later, London becomes a central setting, with its medical schools, hospitals, and bustling urban life providing the backdrop for Philip's struggles and triumphs. The novel also ventures into the English countryside offering a glimpse into rural life and traditions of the era.
Characters
• Philip Carey: The protagonist, an orphaned boy born with a club foot who struggles to find his place in the world and pursues various passions including art and medicine.
• Mildred Rogers: A callous waitress with whom Philip becomes obsessively infatuated, leading to much heartache and turmoil in his life.
• Thorpe Athelny: A kind family man who befriends Philip and offers him support during difficult times.
• Sally Athelny: Thorpe's daughter who develops a relationship with Philip towards the end of the novel.
• Uncle William Carey: Philip's cold and distant uncle who takes him in after he is orphaned.
• Aunt Louisa Carey: Philip's well-meaning but ineffectual aunt who tries to be a mother figure to him.
• Norah Nesbit: A kind author who has a brief romantic relationship with Philip.
• Fanny Price: A struggling and ultimately tragic artist Philip meets in Paris.
• Harry Griffiths: Philip's friend who has an affair with Mildred.
• Dr. South: An elderly doctor who offers Philip a partnership in his medical practice.
Quick facts
• The novel was originally titled “Beauty from Ashes” before Maugham settled on Of Human Bondage, inspired by Spinoza's Ethics.
• It is considered Maugham's masterpiece and is largely autobiographical, though he insisted it was not a true autobiography.
• The Modern Library ranked it #66 on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.
• Like the main character Philip, Maugham had a speech impediment (a stammer) and was orphaned at a young age.
• 33 artists are named in the novel, and 10 famous paintings are mentioned by name.
• The book has been adapted into film three times.
• It took Maugham over two years to write the 700-page novel.
• The character of Mildred was partly inspired by Maugham's own unhappy relationship with a woman named Sue Jones.
• Maugham wrote much of the novel while living in Whitstable, Kent
• The book appears briefly in the 2017 film Spider-Man: Homecoming, drawing parallels between Philip and Peter Parker.
About the author
W. Somerset Maugham was born in Paris in 1874 to British parents. He spoke French before English, which some credit for the purity of his writing style. After losing his parents at a young age, Maugham had an unhappy childhood that he later depicted poignantly in his novel Of Human Bondage. Though he became a qualified physician, writing was Maugham's true calling. He struggled financially for years while writing prolifically before achieving his first literary success.
During World War I, Maugham worked for British Intelligence, later drawing on these experiences for his Ashenden stories. He traveled extensively throughout his life, gathering material for his fiction in places like Asia and the South Pacific. After World War II, Maugham settled in the south of France, where he lived and entertained lavishly at his villa. His personal life was complicated - though primarily homosexual, he was briefly married and fathered a daughter. For much of his adult life, Maugham's companion was Gerald Haxton, and after Haxton's death in 1944, Alan Searle.
As a writer, Maugham was remarkably prolific and popular. He authored 20 novels, over 100 short stories, and more than 30 plays. Some of his most famous works include the novels Of Human Bondage, The Moon and Sixpence, and The Razor's Edge, as well as short story collections like The Trembling of a Leaf. Maugham's writing is characterized by its lucid prose style, keen observations of human nature, and cynical wit. Though immensely popular with readers, he was often dismissed by literary critics as middlebrow.
Maugham continued writing into his 80s, though his final years were marred by senility. He died in 1965 at the age of 91. His psychologically astute portrayals of human relationships and foibles, as well as his masterful short stories, continue to be widely read and adapted for film and television. Maugham's influence can be seen in the works of many subsequent writers, from Evelyn Waugh to Graham Greene.
